Insulating apparatus



Oct. l, 1929. D, O'BRlEN y 1,730,090

INSULATING APPARATUS Filed April 6, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. l, 1929.

D. J. o BRIEN 1,730,090

INSULATING APPARATUS Filed April 6, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. l, 1929. D. J. OBRIEN INSULATING APPARATUS Filed April 5, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ,j fw w N W QN .l m m, NN W NN S .w

Oct. l, 1929. D, 1 OBRlEN 1,730,090

INSULATING APPARATUS Filed April 6, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Oct. l, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DAVID J. OBRIEN, F SHEEPSHEAD BAY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THERMOPAK COM- PANY, INC., OF NEW YORK, N. Y.,

INSULATING Application led April 6,

This invention relates to improvements in insulation materials and receptacles formed therefrom, and has as its primary object reduction to the minimum of the expense of production.

A more detail object is the production of an insulating container of sufficient efliciency for limited use at a cost low enough to enable merchants to give the containers away with a relatively small purchase of goods.

With these and further objects in view as will in part hereinafter become apparent and in part be stated, the invention comprises certain novel constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts as subsequently specilied and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings,-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention with the retaining wrapper omitted.

Figure 2 is a similar view of the retaining wrapper detached.

Figure 3 is a similar view of the parts seen in both Figures 1 and 2 assembled, parts being broken away for disclosing relative location of parts in the rear.

Figure 4 is a similar view of a slightly modified embodiment in a partly unfolded condition.

Figure 5 is an end view thereof approaching a completely folded position.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the same in a completely folded position.

Figure 7 is a view of the parts seen in Figure 4 shown in a completely extended condition prior to the securing of one of the side walls to the end wall of the part constituting the retaining wrapper.

Figure 8 is a top plan view of a fragment of the corrugated sheet of which the structures are adapted to be formed, the flat sheets being omitted.

Figure 9 is an edge view of the parts seen in Figure 8 after the flat sheets have been applied, part of the marginal coating being broken away to disclose the edges of the three sheets.

Figure 10 is a vertical section taken on the plane indicated by line 10-10 of Figure 8.

Figure 11 is a similar section taken on the A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK APPARATUS 1925. Serial No. 21,069.

planeJ indicated by line 11-11 of Figure 8.

Figures 12 and 13 are `vertical sections taken respectively on the planes indicated by lines 12-12 and 13-13 of Figure 8.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary, longitudinal section through a corner portion of the boxing seen in Figure 1 with the flaps in their closed position.

Figure 15 is a similar view of the same taken on the plane indicated by line 15-15 of Fitgure 14.

Re erring to the drawings by numerals, 1 indicates anxinner Sleeve or open-ended boxing made of the material disclosed in detail in Figures 8 to 13 inclusive, -as will be hereinafter specifically set forth. In the embodimentillustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, 14 and 15, the boxing 1 is transversely rectangular, but it is, of course, susceptible of assuming other contours, the cooperating parts being compensatingly modified in shape. The boxing 1 is arranged within the main wrapper consisting of an outer boxing 2 with end flaps 3, 3 and 4, 4, hinged to the margins of the sides and edges of boxing 2. As best seen in Figures 14 and 15, the side walls of boxing 2 outstand longitudinally beyond the edge walls a distance equal approximately to the thickness of the material of which the flaps 3 and 4 are formed so as to allow the flaps 3 to fit down on top of the margins of boxing 1 and to lap those margins, as seen in dotted lines in Figure 3 and in full lines in Figures 14 and 15, the flaps 3 lying between the outstanding portions of the side walls, as clearly seen in Figure 15, so that the flaps 4 snugly overlap the flaps 3 and eHectively seal the line of meeting of the flaps 3, as clearly shown in Figure 3. It is to be noted that the flaps 3 overlie the edges of the boxing 1 at the ends thereof at all points, and particularly at the corners for preventing access or movement of air.

The structure thus made up of the inner V,boxing 1 and the outer boxing 2 with its or delay incident to the application of adhesive, a retaining Wrapper 5 is provided of a contour to snugly fit over the boxing 2 with the flaps closed after the manner seen in Figure 3, whereby the Wrapper 5 frictionally remains in place and eHectively prevents opening of any of the flaps 4 or 3. The part 5 is formed of the same material as boxings 1 and 2. Each flap 3 and 4, as above stated, is hinged along one edge to the respective marginal portion of the boxing 2, and its hinging is preferably eected by scoring the material, as indicated at 6 in Figures 14 and 15, so that the material of which the Walls of the boxing and the flaps are formed serves also as the hinge in each instance.

For purposes of shipping, the parts are preferably collapsed or flattened down, as by being pressed together cornerwise with the flaps outstanding so as to provide a compact mass. When they are intended to be used, it is only necessary to open them up, introduce the brick of ice-cream, or other material to be protected, into the boxing 1, close the fiaps, and apply the retaining Wrapper for producing the package in the manner shown in Figure 3. It is preferable, when icecream is to be protected for longer than two hours, that the container should be kept in a refrigerated or chilled condition until used, as a low temperature of the Walls of the Wrapper increases the effective resistance thereof to access by heat, and the sealing of the ends of the boxing 1 by the overlying of the flaps 3 insures against the access of heatdiffusing air.

In Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7, there is illustrated a further embodiment somewhat and ed e Walls 9, 9 of the inner boxing correspon ing with the inner boxing 1 of the structure seen in Figure 1. Said scores 7 also divide the blank into the side walls 10, 10 and edge Walls 11, 11 of the exterior boxing, corresponding `to the boxing 2 of the structure seen in Figure 1. Scores 7 are also provided in the blank to form the flaps 12, 12 and 13, 13, corresponding in the completed structure to the iaps 3,-and 4, respectively of the device seen in Figure 1. The aps 12 and 13 in the blank lying at opposite sides of the blank and adjacent each other,

being integral in the original blank, are cut along their adjoining edges, as at 14, 14, to allow the parts to be folded after the manner seen in Figures 4, 5 and 6 as hereinafter described. Forming an integral part of the blank and enabled to fold readily by appropriate scores 7, 7, are the side Wall 17 and ends 18, 18 of the retaining Wrapper, which is completedby (a side Wall 19 preferably formed of a separate piece of material and secured in place by adhesive strips 20, 20 connecting the side Wall 19 tothe free ends of the end walls 18.

Thus far the structure to be made from the blank seen in Figure 7 corresponds identically with the structure seen in Figure 3, but it is preferably and may be accomplished at almost no expense to provide closing side Walls for the retaining wrapper, such as are not employed in Figure 3. To rovide such closing side walls, the scores 7 of the blank are located to leave the plates 21, 21, designed to form said side walls, and a score 7 at the outer margin of the outer plate 21 provides a Hap 22 of a Width equal to the Width of the retaining wrapper made up of the parts 17, 18, 19 and 20.

It is to be observed that in the blank seen in Figure 7 an offset or shoulder appears at 23 or the place of juncture of the inner boxing with the outer boxing, the outer boxing being of an increased dimension for facilitating reception of the inner boxing as represented by the offsets 23. Olfsets 24 also appear atthe point of juncture of that part of the blank forming theY outer boxing With that part of the blank forming the retaining Wrapper, so that the Wrapper is proportionally as much larger than the outer boxing as is the outer boxing larger than the inner boxing, each being larger than the next preceding only to the extent required for accommodating the latter in a close, snug fit. i

Referring to that outer plate 21 which carries the balance of the blank constituting the boxings, the edge of said plate joining the side Wall 17 of the retaining Wrapper is provided with a score 7, and a second score 7 extends along and Within the side wall 17, the end portions of said side Wall 17 being cut at 25, 25, from the first of the said score 7 to the second one to allow the parts to assume the position seen in Figure 5.

In the commercial distribution, the structure will be delivered in the form seen in F1gure 7, or the paster 20 may-be secured to the free end wall 18 and the retaining wrapper collapsed upon itself. The merchant, when selling a brick of ice-cream or like commodity to be protected, takes one of the blanks and folds the side Wall 8 along the first score 7 to a position at right angles with the first edge Wall 9, next folding the said edge Wall along the second score 7 to a position i at right angles with the second side wall 8, and then folding the second side wall 8 along the third score 7 to a position at right angles to the second edge wall 9. When the parts have reached this point, the free edge of the first side Wall 8 Will contact with the fourth score 7 and thus complete the inner boxing 26. The operator continues the folding of the blank along the successive scores 7 to the position seen in Figure 4, producing the outer boxing 27 surrounding the inner boxing 26. The brick of ice-cream,or other commodity,is then inserted within the boxing 26, the said boxing 26 being dimensionedto snugly receive the commodity. The flaps 12, 12, are then folded down upon the open ends of the boxing 26 snugly fitting within the Walls 10 and 11 of the boxing 27 after the manner of the fitting of flaps 3 within boxing 2, except that a single fiap 12 'extends entirely across the boxing 26. The fiaps 13 are then folded across the outside of the aps 12, functioning in a.

f manner similar to the flaps 4 With respect to the fiaps 3. The boxing 27 is then folded l down or laid down on top of the face of the plate 21, and the latter with its connected part of the side Wall or bottom wall 17 manipulated to introduce the boxing with the flaps in the folded position stated into the retaining wrapper made up of the walls 17, 18 and 19. This is accomplished by rocking the boxing with a pivotal swinging movement into the retaining wrapper. To accommodate the width of the boxing between diametrically opposite angles thereof, that part of the wrapper between slits 25 is depressed by springing that portion of Wall 17 down which is rendered free by the slits 25 and enabled to easily spring by virtue of the presence of the score 7 along the wall 17 connecting the inner termini of the slits 25. The free portion of the wall 17 thus is enabled to spring down to the lowered position indicated in Figure 5 to allow the upper corners of the boxing to enter the retaining Wrapper. Then, as the boxing is pushed on into the Wrapper, the sprung portion rises again to its normal, straight position with the rest of the wall 17; and, when the boxing is entirely surrounded by the retaining Wrapper, the outer plate 21 is folded along its score 7 and the fla-p 22 is similarly folded and inserted under the upper wall 19 of the retaining wrapper, so that the parts assume the final, folded position shown in Figure 6. The inner boxlng is thus effectively sealed and the fiaps and outer boxing completely enclosed.

Whether the structure assumes the form i1- lustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3 or that shown in Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7, the material utilized is preferably the same and is made as inexpensively as possible, consistent with a reasonable degree of ca acity for heat insulation. I have foun by many experiments, that it is of primal lmportance in the insulation of heat to. prevent air circulation so far as possible within the walls of the enclosure. Air spaces are valuable in aiding to prevent heat distribution if such spaces are so arranged that circulation is impossible, and to effect the desired intramural dead air spaces at the least possible expense, I utilize corrugated paper incorporating an improvement in advance of that disclosed in m United States Letters Patent No. 1,360,142, dated November 23, 1920. In the structure disclosed in that patent the wrapping of the sheet into a helix or series of elices obviates any need or desirability for the use of more than a single flat sheet adhered to a corrugated sheet. It should be understood that by reference to a sheet'1 mean a sheet of paper or other appropriate material adapted to function after the manner of a sheet of paper. In the construction shown in my said patent, I was endeavoring to produce a wall of some considerable stability and did not confine myself so strictly in the matter of expense. Though not referred .to in said patent, it is a fact that the fiat sheet was caused to adhere to the corrugated sheet by the application of an appropriate adhesive material, preferably silicon, in the form of a continuous layer on the inner face of the flat sheet. Upon contacting with the ridges of the flutings of the corrugated paper, the two sheets Were thus caused to adhere, and the continuous layer of silicon added considerable stiffness to the finished structure. It 1s now my object to reduce the expense of production and to save all the adhesive material possible While securing as good or better results than those obtained in the patented structure.

.To this end, I utilize, 'as clearly seen in Figures 8 to 13 inclusive, an intermediate corrugated sheet 28 and top and bottom fiat sheets 29, 29. The sheet 28 is not only corrugated after the manner of ordinary corrugated paper, but is cross-corrugated at one face, as at 30, 30, after the manner disclosed 1n my above-identified United States Letters Patent, and is also similarly cross-corrugated at 31, 31, at its opposite face, so that the depressed material effected by the cross corrugatlons 30 and 31 blockades the tubing producedby the fiutings forming the regular corrugations, and said tubing is blo-ckaded at both faces of the corrugated sheet. To insure effective blockading and resultant dead au' spaces, each cross corrugation 30 and 3l is depressed to the point where the material 1s caused to present a cross ridge on the same level with the ridges of the main flutings of the corrugated paper. The said ridges of the mam fiutings at both sides, and the ridges produced by the cross corrugations are supplied with adhesive material, and then the sheets 29, 29 are applied so that only a line of adhesive material appears at any one place, and that line extends along'the main iutings or along the cross corrugations. The sheets 29, 29 are thus effectively adhered to the corrugated sheet at all points of contact, but no adhesive material is unused on non-contacting inner surfaces of the sheets 29. The cross corrugations 30 and 31 may be arranged in any order and sequence found most desirable, but since the primary object of these cross corrugations is to create relatively short dead air spaces which proportionally guard against air movement, it is desirable to stagger the cross corrugations throughout the body of the sheet somewhat after the manner shown in Figure 8. It is also desirable to provide rows of the cross corrugations adjacent the margins of the sheet, so that the edges of the sheet will not present open tubes. Supplementing the use of the marginal cross corrugations, an adhesive filler, such as seen at 32 in Figure 9, may also be effectively utilized to fill in the end portions of the corrugations outside of the marginal cross corrugations, and to form a finishing surface along the edge of the sheet.

Containers of the character herein disclosed can be produced at such low expense that ice-cream dealers can afford to give one of them away with each quart of ice-cream. By repeated tests, the containers have proven to be sufficiently efficient to insulate heat and retain the ice-cream placed therein in perfect condition for from two to three hours Without refrigerant in quart sizes, but in larger quantities the ice-cream can be kept perfectly from eight to ten hours, or longer under favorable conditions.

While the container illustrated, as best seen in Figures 4, 5 and 6, is preferably square to conform to the contour of the usual brick of ice-cream, it may be caused to have any other desired contour to receive the quantity of ice-cream or other material to be preserved of different shape, and the brick or other material of Whatever contour may and preferably will be either initially supplied in a filler or primary Wrapper or placed therein by the retail dealer before being inserted into the container herein disclosed and claimed. Such fillers may be of paper or metal, or any other acceptable material.

What is claimed is:

1. A heat insulating container comprising an inner boxing of heat insulating material, an outer boxing of heat insulating material enclosing the inner boxing, flaps on the outer boxing for overlying the edges of the ends of the inner boxing at the corners as Well as throughout the main oortions thereof, all of a single sheet of material, and means for maintaining the aps closed.

2. A heat insulating container comprising an inner boxing of heat insulating material, an outer boxing of heat insulating material enclosing the inner boxing, iaps on the outer boxing for overlying the edges of the ends of the inner boxing at the corners as Well as throughout the main portions thereof, all of a single sheet of material, some of said flaps overlying other of the flaps for closing seams thereof, and means for maintaining the fiaps closed. i

3. A heat insulating container comprising an inner boxing of heat insulating material, an outer boxing of heat insulating material enclosing the inner boxing, Haps on the outer boxing for overlying the edges of the ends of the inner boxing at the corners as Well as throughout the main portions thereof, all of a single sheet of material, and a retaining Wrapper removably enclosing the outer boxing and the flaps for retaining the flaps in their closed positions.

4. A heat insulating container comprising an inner boxing, an outer boxing enclosing the same andhaving Haps for closin the ends of the inner boxing, said boxing eing formed of a single sheet of heat insulating material scored to facilitate folding to form the respective Walls of the boxings, and an enclosing Wrapper for the outer boxing for retaining the flaps closed, said Wrapper being also formed continuous of the sheet of insulating material.

5. A heat insulating container comprising an inner boxing, an outer boxing snugly containing the same, flaps on the outer boxing adapted to close both the inner and the outer boxings, said boxings and iaps being formed of a continuous sheet of heat insulating material adapted to be folded to form the Walls of the boxings and the aps, and a retaining and enclosing Wrapper for the outer boxing conltinuous of said sheet of insulating materia 6. A heat insulating container comprising an inner boxing, an outer boxing snugly containing the same, flaps on the outer boxing adapted to close both the in'ner and the outer boxings, said boxings and aps being formed of a continuous sheet of heat insulating Inaterial adapted to be folded to form the Walls of the boxings and the flapsuand a retaining Wrapper for the outer boxing continuous of said sheet of insulating material, the Walls of the retaining Wrapper being slit sufficiently for allowing the boxings to enter the retaining Wrapper angularly and to assume a position of snug fit therein.

7. A container blank comprising a sheet conditioned to be folded into a boxing, and a housing for the boxing, the edge portionsof the sheet at the place of the housing being severed for a part of the distance along the housing for enabling a portion of that part of the sheet forming one Wall of the housing to be flexed relative to the housing for enabling the rocking of the boxing into the housing.

8. A container blank comprising a strip of sheet material conditioned to be folded to form a boxing and to be folded to form a housing for the boxing, a portion of the strip being severed from other portions of the strip which are adapted to form the housing for enabling assemblage of the boxing in the housing and lexing of the severed portions of the strip relative to the housing during assemblage. Y

9. A container comprising a box and a housing snugly receiving the same, all formed from an integral blank of sheet material, the housing having a portion of its material slit to permit deflecting for enabling the boxing to be rocked into and out of the housing.

10. A container comprising a box and a housing snugly receiving the same, all formed from an integral blank of sheet material, the housing having a portion of its material slit along the meeting edges forming two of the angles thereof to permit deflecting to accommodate that Width of the boxing between diametrically opposite angles for enabling the boxing to be rocked into and out of the housing.

11. A boxing blank comprising a strip of sheet material shaped and conditioned to be folded into a boxing of transversely rectangular form, and also to be folded into a housing for snugly receiving the rectangular boxing, the strip material being slit along linesrcorresponding to the later produced angles to be formed in folding the blank to the shape of the housing, the slits extending a distance less than the length of such angles.

In testimony whereof'I aix my signature.

DAVID J. OBRIEN. 

